Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
by Miriam G.Desacada
Borongan City- The Luzon-Visayas fixed link project (bridge or undersea tunnel) will likely proceed as a foreign-assisted project (FAP) to curb corruption and political meddling, says House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.
“We’re counting on JICA and ADB to finance and oversee this – insulate it from politics,”_
Libanan said, citing models like the Metro Manila Subway and Cebu’s Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
The project is envisioned to follow the FAP model. This will ensure discipline, transparency, and foreign donor scrutiny from day one,” Libanan added.
The recent crippling congestion at Sorsogon’s Port of Matnog during the Christmas-New Year rush underscores the critical need for a Luzon-Visayas fixed link, says Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.
“The Matnog bottleneck is a structural weakness. Holidays expose our transport failings, hurting mobility, trade, and emergency response,”_ Libanan stressed.
RORO ferries were swamped, leaving passengers and vehicles stuck in endless queues. Is it time to fast-track the Luzon-Visayas bridge .
The 2026 General Appropriations Act, set to be signed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in early January, allocates ₱130 million for the Luzon-Visayas bridge/tunnel feasibility study.
This paves the way for the 28km fixed link across San Bernardino Strait (Sorsogon-Northern Samar), ensuring _weather-proof_ transport of people and goods – a major upgrade from weather-vulnerable ferries!
Next step? Study completion → Funding push (JICA/ADB?) → Construction.
Foreign-assisted projects are designed with built-in safeguards. Donor agencies impose strict procurement rules, require independent technical and financial reviews, and release funds only after verifiable milestones are met,” Libanan explained.
Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan in his statement points to successful JICA-backed projects like the Metro Manila Subway_ and _Marcelo Fernan Bridge_ (Cebu) as models for the Luzon-Visayas link.
“Donor safeguards = efficient, transparent infrastructure. No politics, no graft,”_ Libanan said.
With JICA/ADB on board, the project could mirror these successes – fast-tracking a game-changing, corruption-proof connection.—–Miriam G.Desacada
